This Cozy London Cafe Is Serving Up Second Chances

13/12/2023

At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand.

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Close up of a cream and brown Pay It Forward Coffee card that has a handwritten message saying 'have a nice day' and a doodle of a coffee mug.Picture

'Pay It Forward' coffee is just one of the community-focused features at Neal Street Espresso.

In the heart of London's colourful Neal's Yard neighbourhood, one cute and cozy cafe is serving up delicious coffee but there's something else on the menu: Second chances.

Neal Street Espresso (34 Neal Street) looks in many ways like a typical hip London coffee shop. Indeed, it is one. There is a robust menu of flat whites, mochas, and chai tea. You can grab your beverage with oat, almond, or soy milk and add a plump pastry or toasty hot sandwich on the side. The baristas are briskly efficient, foaming milk and taking orders without skipping a beat. In every way, they're just like any other cafe staff but there's a much deeper story here. Neal Street Espresso supports community members who have been part of the penal system and that starts with their staff.

Discovering London's Literary Wonderland: 11 Charming Bookstores to Explore

30/11/2023

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Several grey shelves showing about 15 different and diverse books with staff recommendation cards under each.Picture

The diverse and creative staff picks at the London Review of Books shop.

London is a reader’s dream – and a shopper’s dream as well. However, how many bookstores are in London is a bit of a mystery. While one map claims there are 112 independent bookshops in this British capital, my personal experience says there are endless hidden gems when you add in the quaint second hand stores. Put the non-independent stores, regional chains, global powerhouses, and the kiosks dotting train stations and museums on the list and I suspect the number of book-selling venues easily surpasses a thousand. That’s great news if you’re a reader like me!

These are eleven shops that are especially meaningful to me and the spots that I recommend to people again and again.

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury)

Nestled in Bloomsbury, the London Review Bookshop, an extension of the literary periodical, is a cozy haven with a penchant for classic and new fiction. Without a doubt, it is not only my favourite bookstore in London but it is now my favourite in all the world (don’t worry, Paris’ Shakespeare and Co is a close second). It feels like every single book in the shop has been carefully selected and I always discover something entirely new to me which I had never considered before but suddenly have to have. The shop also operates an absolutely delightful cake shop which offers hot drinks, homemade desserts, treats like coconut yogurt with rhubarb compote and granola, and savory fare including a soup and a stew of the day and a sandwich or two.

Did I mention I love this bookshop? I love it.

From Dublin to the Marshall Islands: The History Of Irish Coffee

12/3/2021

The history of Irish coffee involves a chef, a travel writer, and a journey around the world - but you can easily make it at home.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

History of Irish coffee: Two clear mugs are filled from a clear pitcher of hot coffee Picture

The history of Irish coffee always starts with a story about "good, strong coffee".

An oral history of Irish coffee usually begins in Foynes, a small community in western Ireland. But in actuality, the legend of this popular cocktail wraps around the world, from Dublin to the Marshall Islands. And a travel writer plays a starring role!

This boozy, creamy drink first gained popularity after it was served by Irish chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes Airbase, likely in 1943. It was offered up as a bracing concoction for passengers whose flight was forced to turn back due to poor winter weather and they promptly fell in love with the combination of coffee, whiskey, sugar, and cream. However, it was travel writer Stanton Delaplane who popularized it in 1952 when he brought the recipe home to San Francisco.

(Let's all take a moment to appreciate how fitting it is that someone whose last name is "Delaplane" choose a career as a travel writer. Marvelous.)

Stan convinced his friend Jack Koeppler, owner of San Francisco's Buena Vista cafe, that the drink would be a hit. Or, depending on who you believe, Jack approached Stan and tasked him with the job of recreating the Irish drink that was slowly getting a word-of-mouth reputation. According to official lore, since they couldn't figure out how to to properly add the cream, they offered Joe Sheridan a job and the chef immigrated to San Francisco in 1952. Problem solved!

Alas, there may be more to the story. In a Time Magazine interview with Joe in 1955, he stated that he immigrated through Canada and Hawaii before settling in San Francisco by coincidence, where he found work in an all night dinner called Tiny's Waffle Shop (now closed). Like many travel legends, it seems like this story has some tall tales.

Exploring Dublin's Cozy Side

16/8/2019

My cozy Dublin list reflects nearly 20 years of favourite special places and flavors.

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Exploring Dublin's Cozy side by TurnipseedTravel - cat in window

Photo by Vital Sinkevich on Unsplash

Dublin is a cool city. I am not a cool person. And herein lies the root of my problem with it comes to recommending things to see and do in the Irish capital. I can't tell you a thing about hip bars, trendy music venues, or any of the amazing shops led by a new generation of makers and creators. I'm not much better when it comes to chic restaurants, festivals, or exhibits. Alas, people ask me for recommendations for their Dublin city breaks all the time. This autumn alone, two sets of dear friends are going there and I couldn't do much more but issue an impassioned plea for them to visit my favourite bakery. Not exactly cutting edge stuff.

But all of a sudden, I thought that, maybe, it might just be enough. After all, lots of people are eager to share why they think Dublin is cool. But who's talking about about what makes Dublin cozy? Me, that's who! Who says that little bakeries aren't the best part of a city, anyway?

At last, I'm ready to own my Dublin recommendations. Here are the cozy places, flavors, and spots that I visit again and again in Dublin. Better luck next time, hot clubs.

A Walk On The Wild Side: A Personal and Poignant Year Exploring Ireland and the UK.

15/12/2016

Travel writer Emma Higgins spent a year traveling solo around Ireland and the UK... and didn't shy away from taking some walks on the wild side.

Exploring the Scottish Borders.

Travel writer Emma Higgins went on a journey through the UK and Ireland for the whole of 2015. Emma travelled around her native land from the Hebrides in Scotland to the far corners of Cornwall, the west coast of Ireland and eastern England. Her book, A Year in the UK & Ireland, which is out now, is a collection of twenty long-form stories about her voyage, with beautiful accompanying photography aimed to inspire you to see the British Isles from a new perspective.

We sat down with Emma to talk about her incredible adventure!

Sir Christopher Wren's London Sights of "The City"

8/12/2015

Sir Christopher Wren has left a lasting legacy throughout London and "the City". Discover his architectural legacy.

Fleet Street London England - Christopher Wren's London

This is all thanks to Christopher Wren: London's Fleet Street with St Paul's Cathedral in the background.

How is it possible that most visitors to London never actually see London? No, it's not a trick question! The metropolitan area we refer to as London is actually two distinct municipalities. The City of Westminster is what most people know as London. If you've seen Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, and the British Museum, then you've done a pretty good job of exploring Westminster!

But the municipality of the City of London, the 'real' London as some might say, is a traveler's dream. The roughly one square mile of territory reflects London's boundaries during the Roman settlement in the first century. And while only 7,000 people live here, about 300,000 workers commute here everyday, as it is now the heart of London's financial district.

The City's sleek and modern financial towers have a tendency to camouflage some incredible historic architectural gems. Tucked among the skyscrapers are some of the finest pieces of work by renowned English architect Sir Christopher Wren, all open and eager for visitors. Even if architecture isn't your strong point, take heart. Entire volumes have been written about the breadth of Wren's work throughout London, but even a quick visit will allow a traveler the opportunity to become acquainted with Wren's best work.

If you have just half a day to explore The City, here's the perfect Wren-themed itinerary.

Lickety-Split London Layover: The Three Hour Tour.

6/12/2015

Do you have the world's shortest London layover- but cling to big travel dreams? Here's how you can see London in three hours or less. Update in 2023.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

London Layover in three hours: Exploring the parks.

Walking from point A to point B during a London layover can be a relaxing experience, even when you're on a tight schedule.

Have you ever dreamed of being transported to another country for even just a few hours? How amazing would it be to wake up to breakfast in Paris or close the day with a nightcap in Rio? I love long trips, but there's also an intoxicating allure to the whirlwind visit, getting just a tantalizing taste of what a city has to offer. And lately, I've been thinking about the flavors of London. Specifically an ultra-short London layover.

I have a good friend who we'll refer to as Graeme (because that is in fact his name!) who recently did just that. He had a super short London stopover while on route to another European city. A layover so short that we even pondered if it was worth his time to leave the airport at all! In general, I rarely recommend layovers where you have less than 4 hours of leisure time but such sensible practicalities are lost on a wild soul like Graeme, who was determined to see London for the very first time.

And now Graeme isn't the only traveler I know who's embracing a lickety-split layover in London - my friend Valerie is considering it too! So if Graeme and Val sounds just like you and you have a devil-may-care approach to layovers - or if you simply have extremely limited free time to see the city on a business trip - here's what you can do in London when you have just three hours, plus a few options to extend your day if you have five to six hours.

Things to Do in East Sussex: My Road Trip Down Memory Lane.

7/10/2015

What's on my list of the best things to do in East Sussex? Sleep next to an castle, feast on custard creams, and discover thousand year old battle fields.

Things to do in East Sussex: Herstmonceux Castle Picture

Welcome to Herstmonceux Castle! This is one of the most special places in the world to me. The 15th century manor home has a colorful history and its current role as an international study center for Queen's University is what makes it feel like my second home. And a visit here tops my list of things to do in East Sussex. It really is an incredible place - and it will always have a special place in my traveling heart.

I knew I wanted to do a semester abroad at "The Castle" before I even started my first day of university at Queen's and the semester I spent there in my third year was one of the best experiences of my life. It was an incredible learning experience and it sparked my lifelong love for travel. I enjoyed it so much, I spent two summers working on the property as a bartender, housekeeper, and receptionist and I used all my free time to explore the area. It didn't take long for me to consider it to be the most beautiful castle in East Sussex.

While I would heartily endorse a semester of study to anyone, I appreciate that's not always practical! But it is the perfect place for an extended stop on an East Sussex road trip. Here are my top recommendations for visiting The Castle and planning an East Sussex adventure.

The Best Churches To Visit In London: Discover My Favourites

24/4/2015

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Best churches to visit in London: Clergy in red robes entering a side door of Westminster Abbey Picture

Westminster Abbey definitely ranks among the best churches to visit in London no matter how you look at things!

Why put together a list of the best churches to visit in London? Well, I've been visiting houses of worship around the world for as long as I can remember. I may have all the spiritual sensibilities of a rock, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying the beauty, architecture, art, history, and genealogy found within the walls of the grandest mosque or the tiniest church. And as a budget minded traveler, spiritual sites top my list of value all-stars. They are tremendously affordable (usually free!), your donations go to a good cause, there are often special events like free music recitals - and you may even get a fantastic meal too!

There are thousands of houses of worship in London and I've only visited a fraction - but I'm happy to share a few of my favourites here. If I do say so myself, I think this is a perfect list for a first time visitor to London as it gives you a little bit of everything. Famous, obscure, old (and really old), music, community, and food. I'm hoping with each subsequent visit to London my list will continue to grow!

Why isn't St. Paul's Cathedral on this list? It is indeed one of my favourites but I haven't had the chance to visit since 2001 and therefore I can't really offer any personal insights into things like their cafe, their music program, or their tours. Hopefully, I'll be back for a return visit soon!

<<Previous

This Cozy London Cafe Is Serving Up Second Chances

At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Discovering London's Literary Wonderland: 11 Charming Bookstores to Explore

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury)

From Dublin to the Marshall Islands: The History Of Irish Coffee

The history of Irish coffee involves a chef, a travel writer, and a journey around the world - but you can easily make it at home.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Exploring Dublin's Cozy Side

My cozy Dublin list reflects nearly 20 years of favourite special places and flavors.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

A Walk On The Wild Side: A Personal and Poignant Year Exploring Ireland and the UK.

Travel writer Emma Higgins spent a year traveling solo around Ireland and the UK... and didn't shy away from taking some walks on the wild side.

Sir Christopher Wren's London Sights of "The City"

Sir Christopher Wren has left a lasting legacy throughout London and "the City". Discover his architectural legacy.

Lickety-Split London Layover: The Three Hour Tour.

Do you have the world's shortest London layover- but cling to big travel dreams? Here's how you can see London in three hours or less. Update in 2023.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Things to Do in East Sussex: My Road Trip Down Memory Lane.

What's on my list of the best things to do in East Sussex? Sleep next to an castle, feast on custard creams, and discover thousand year old battle fields.

The Best Churches To Visit In London: Discover My Favourites

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

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At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission. ​

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission. ​

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury) ​

The history of Irish coffee involves a chef, a travel writer, and a journey around the world - but you can easily make it at home. ​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

My cozy Dublin list reflects nearly 20 years of favourite special places and flavors. ​Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Travel writer Emma Higgins spent a year traveling solo around Ireland and the UK... and didn't shy away from taking some walks on the wild side.

Sir Christopher Wren has left a lasting legacy throughout London and "the City". Discover his architectural legacy.

Do you have the world's shortest London layover- but cling to big travel dreams? Here's how you can see London in three hours or less. Update in 2023. ​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

What's on my list of the best things to do in East Sussex? Sleep next to an castle, feast on custard creams, and discover thousand year old battle fields.

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Post Categories

Posts by Date

At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury)

The history of Irish coffee involves a chef, a travel writer, and a journey around the world - but you can easily make it at home.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

My cozy Dublin list reflects nearly 20 years of favourite special places and flavors.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Do you have the world's shortest London layover- but cling to big travel dreams? Here's how you can see London in three hours or less. Update in 2023.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.